by Brenda Joyce
As they started out of the lobby, Kait smiled at the blond teacher, who said, “I am so pleased to see you, Mrs. Coleman. I take it you have recovered from your riding accident?”
Kait started and paused. Was Three Falls such a small town that even Marni’s pre-K teacher knew about her fall? Then she realized what had happened. “Oh, I’m fine. I guess Marni told you about it?”
“No, actually, I heard about it at the deli this morning when I was picking up a coffee and a bagel.” The woman had hazel eyes and they settled on her. Her smile suddenly seemed fixed, her gaze quite curious.
Suddenly Kait realized just how small Three Falls was. She didn’t know the actual population, but she bet it was a mere few thousand. And that meant that everyone knew everyone else’s business. Kait managed a smile, and with a wave, she and Marni left. “You have a very nice teacher,” she said.
“Ms. Harding is very nice,” Marni agreed. “She asks about Daddy a lot. She smiles at him a lot too, when he comes to school. I think she loves him.” Marni smiled at her.
Kait would bet heavily that Ms. Harding had a crush on Trev Coleman. Was she waiting in the wings for Lana’s divorce so she could take her best shot at him?
Kait halted in midstep. Trev Coleman was handsome and wealthy; he was a catch. Undoubtedly the entire town—no, the entire county— knew he had a cheating wife and that a divorce was imminent. How many women were out there, eagerly awaiting the event, and hoping to eventually ensnare Trev for themselves?
It was a dismal thought.
Kait hoped one of them wasn’t insane enough to try to kill Lana to expedite matters. And how was she ever going to discover just who Lana’s old lovers were? Although Lana would be back at any moment, Kait was trying to put together a list of suspects. So far it was short and weak. Max Zara was on it, as was Elizabeth Dorentz. But, in truth, Kait didn’t think either person crazy enough to try to murder her sister—or herself. She didn’t think either of them had enough motivation.
No, it had to be a jilted lover, or a very angry wife.
“Mommy?”
“Sorry!” Kait cried, realizing she was standing in the middle of the sidewalk, while other mothers and nannies were on the curb with their children, chatting before getting into their SUVs and station wagons. She smiled at Marni, but now the biggest question of all loomed. Where the hell was her sister?
She reminded herself that it was only one-thirty in the afternoon. Yes, Lana had said in her letter that she would be back in two days, and that was now. In fact, Kait had arrived at Fox Hollow exactly forty-eight hours ago. Lana was obviously running late, Kate decided.
Marni cut into her thoughts. “Mommy, are you and Daddy getting a divorce?”
Kait looked into Marni’s worried eyes and was horrified. “What do you mean, Marni?” Kait asked very quietly, but inside she was not calm at all. Inside, she was stunned and furious.
Marni was downcast. “Daddy told me. He said it was time for you and him to just be friends and to live in different houses. He said you would still love me. Mommy, I don’t want a divorce! I don’t want you to go away!”
Kait swept her up into her arms, hugging her hard. Tears filled her eyes. “Neither do I,” she said impulsively, and then she was aghast. Kait could not release Marni. She held her and thought about the fact that she didn’t want to give up her new life at Fox Hollow.
Kait was horrified with herself.
It wasn’t her new life. It was Lana’s life and Kait must never forget that—even if it was one she hadn’t seemed to care very much about.
But that wasn’t fair. Kait still didn’t know her sister’s side of the story, and Lana was in terrible trouble, and someone had taken a shot at Kait to prove it.
Kait closed her eyes, still embracing the child who felt like her own daughter.
Three hours later, Kait and Marni drove up to the house. Marni saw the black-and-white police car at the same time as Kait. Marni cried out in childish excitement, while Kait gasped, wondering why the Chevy Blazer was parked in front of their door. And then she knew.
Lana had returned and they were both going to jail for fraud.
“Mommy! Do you think bad people came to the house?” Marni cried, wide-eyed.
Kait parked the Porsche and turned off the ignition. She tried to calm down. It was simply impossible. It had never before occurred to her that what she was doing might be illegal as well as wrong.
What if it were worse than that? What if something had happened to Lana, what if whoever was after her had somehow gotten to her?
“I’m sure that nothing is wrong,” Kait managed as reassuringly as possible. But she did not believe her own words. Why else would the police be at the house? The windows in the SUV were rolled down, and she could hear the police radio crackling, with occasional outbursts of operator and officer dialogue. This had to have something to do with her sister and the danger she was in.
Kait tried not to panic. It was no longer early afternoon. It was after five p.m. Lana should have been back hours ago, and if she was running this late, she should have called. What had happened?
And something had happened.
Kait was afraid.
Marni was already pushing open her car door. “Uncle Rafe! Uncle Rafe!” She shouted happily.
Kait tensed as Marni bolted from the car. Lana had mentioned that Trev had a younger brother, Rafe Coleman, but hadn’t given any details. Why had he shown up now, of all times? Kait couldn’t handle another family member, another potential confrontation. Because clearly Trev’s brother would be on Trev’s side.
Marni was already racing up the front steps to the veranda. Kait stepped out of the Porsche, almost twisting her ankle on the uneven ground. She had stopped wearing Lana’s high heels the moment she had arrived at Fox Hollow, but today she had decided to remain completely in character. She was wearing one of Lana’s elegant pantsuits with a pair of ankle boots. In real frustration, she cursed.
She was perspiring now.
She prayed her sister was all right, and that her being hurt wasn’t the reason the police were there.
The moment she entered the house, Trev came blasting out of the living room, tightly clutching his daughter’s hand. “Where the hell have you been?” he shouted wildly at her.
And she saw his fear. “What?”
He gave her a look filled with rage—a look of murderous fury— and swept Marni up into his arms. Kait recoiled, although, in that moment, she understood. This had nothing to do with Lana at all. “Where have you been all afternoon?” he ground out, kissing Marni’s cheek.
An officer in a black standard-issue jacket, a big gun in his holster, a western-style hat on his head, stepped out behind Trev, as did Elizabeth and Max. Elizabeth was as white as a new sheet, and Max Zara was, well, speculative.
“We went to the movies,” Kait said quickly. Trev was enraged. He was enraged with her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”
“You went to the movies?!” Trev choked, still furious.
“Daddy, we saw Beauty and the Beast. It was so much fun! And we had ice cream,” Marni cried. She looked extremely anxious now.
Instantly, Trev kissed her again. “I didn’t know,” he managed harshly. “Thank God you are all right.”
The officer wore a badge on his bomber-style jacket with sheriff engraved on it. He was dark-haired and far too handsome for an officer of the law. He was staring at Kait. The moment she realized it, their eyes met, and Kait saw Irish green eyes framed by thick sooty lashes and she knew who this man was.
Trev’s brother was the county sheriff
Rafe Coleman did not smile at her. He turned to his brother and slapped Trev’s shoulder. “Well, they are back safe and sound, and I’m taking off. We have a bit of an altercation on the other side of town.”
Trev set Marni down but gripped her hand. “I’m sorry, Rafe. I’m sorry for the false alarm.”
Rafe was hard to read. His expression was implacable.
He shrugged. “False alarms happen all the time.” He glanced at Kait with a narrowed gaze. “She never took Marni for an afternoon before. You did the right thing, calling me. How would you know she was taking Marni to the movies?” His gaze remained on Kait. It slid over her features, slowly, coolly, one by one, lingering on her hair and eyes. Then he looked her up and down.
The look was not a sexual one.
And Kait knew a dangerous adversary when she saw one. She stepped back breathlessly, as if that might put a real barrier between them.
“Lana, I’d like to speak with you about that gunshot you think was fired. You care to come down to the office and make a statement?”
“I...of course.” Kait looked from the swarthy, dark-haired sheriff to Trev. “I’m sorry,” she said, certain she was ashen. “I had no idea I would frighten anyone this way.” She stared at Trev, wanting to beg him not to be this way. He hated her. This was the second time she had seen it and she had not a doubt as to his feelings now.
Then she regrouped. He did not hate her. He hated Lana, his wife.
“A deputy will take your statement if I’m not there,” Rafe said.
Kait started, suddenly realizing that Rafe Coleman—the county sheriff—didn’t find her having been shot at significant at all, or at least, not significant enough for him to involve himself. Their gazes met again and she recoiled. She was afraid of this man.
Then Rafe nodded, tipping his hat at Elizabeth and chucking Marni under the chin. “Later, sweetheart,” he said to the little girl. He glanced at Trev. “Walk me out.”
Trev nodded and the two brothers strode out. Kait stared after them, dismayed. She had no doubt they were discussing her. But what, exactly, were they saying?
She followed them into the foyer, and as they stepped outside onto the veranda, she went to the window, watching them. They were two handsome, masculine men, one dark, one tawny-haired, both obviously brothers. She could not hear a word they were saying, but Rafe was speaking, with controlled urgency. She did not like it at all.
Her head began to ache. She clutched her temples, no longer able to avoid the most worrisome thought of all.
Did Trev Coleman hate Lana enough to want her dead?
A few minutes later, Trev returned to the house. Kait had somehow known he would want to talk to her, and she was seated in the living room, her hands in her lap, grasping a brief moment’s respite. As he entered, she looked up and their eyes met. He was grim.
“We need to talk,” he said flatly.
“I said I’m sorry,” she began sincerely.
“Since when do you take my daughter to the movies?” he demanded. “Much less pick her up at school? Since when, Lana?”
Kait stared, her mind racing, more worried now about her sister than about the confrontation with Trev. Then she saw Marni peering around the corner into the room, a Breyer’s horse model in her hand. “Let’s go into the other room,” she said quietly.
Marni hurried forward. “Daddy?”
Instantly, he stooped to her height. “What, honey?” he asked gently. Somehow, watching him like that, seeing how much he loved his daughter, hurt too terribly for words.
This man was capable of kindness and compassion and deep, abiding love.
“Mommy’s not bad anymore,” Marni said plaintively.
Kait froze.
Trev stared, then scooped her up into his arms. “Of course your mommy isn’t bad,” he said gently. “Your mommy has never been bad. Mommies aren’t bad, honey.”
“No,” Marni protested with a serious shake of her head.
Kait’s mind came to life. She knew she had to stop her now. But when she opened her mouth to speak, no words came out. She now knew how it felt to have one’s neck on an executioner’s block.
“Mommy is a new, nice mommy now,” Marni said very plainly.
Kait thought she might faint.
Trev stared at his daughter.
Kait stared at Trev, speechless, sweating.
“Yes, she is a new, nice mommy,” Trev said. He stood. “Elizabeth?” he called. “Why don’t you give Marni some supper?” He smiled down at his daughter. “I need to talk to Mommy. Go into the kitchen, honey.”
Marni shot Kait a grin, as if to say, See? It’s all right now; I told him you’re new and nice.
Kait somehow smiled back, and then she and Trev Coleman were alone.
“I can’t take it anymore,” Kait whispered earnestly. “It was only a movie. I stupidly didn’t let anyone know what we are doing, and it will never happen again. I’m sorry!”
He strode to her, and she flinched as he loomed over her. “Stay away from my daughter.”
Kait gasped.
He was trembling. “Did you hear me? I know what you’re doing— I’ve known it the moment you got back from New York with your new sainted mother act! I won’t have it,” he said tightly.
It was hard to stand straight and tall before him, because he was frightening. She had never seen anyone so angry and even desperate, and she wondered if he even had control of his temper now.
“It’s not an act. I’m not...I’m not who you think I am. I love... our...I love Marni. With all of my heart. I really do.”
“Not an act? You love Marni?” He was incredulous. “You’re using Marni for your own selfish ends, that’s what you’re doing.”
“No,” she tried.
“I’m divorcing you,” he continued harshly, his green gaze on hers. “And it will be good riddance! Marni stays with me. Full custody. I will pay you off and you know it! But if you keep this up, it will be war, Lana, and I promise, I will win—or die trying.”
Kait stared into his furious eyes, reeling. “Calm down,” she finally said. “Your anger won’t solve anything.”
“Calm down?” He was incredulous. “My anger won’t solve anything? Have you just come down from the moon? You are trying to make her love you at the eleventh hour—and it’s working! Then we’ll split, and her heart will be broken—and you expect me to calm down?” He began shaking again. “Or do you expect a judge to let her choose who she lives with! Are you hoping she’ll choose you? You haven’t done enough? Is this your way of hurting me one last time? What about how Marni feels? You’re going to hurt her too!”
Kait met his eyes. She agreed with everything he was saying, except she wasn’t Lana. She had an overwhelming urge to rush forward and hold him and soothe him and somehow heal his wounds. Of course, that was not to be. How could Lana have used and hurt this man so? How? And where was she? Now was the perfect time for her to walk through the door so Trev could learn the truth—a truth he was entitled to!
Kait even looked at the doorway, but her sister wasn’t standing there.
She closed her eyes. How much more of this deception could she take? Could the police protect Marni from an enemy that no one except Lana even knew the identity of? Should she tell him everything now?
Lana, where are you?!
“Well?” Trev was shouting now. “Answer me, damn it!” She looked into his eyes and could not speak. She loved Marni with her every breath and more, and until she knew who she was up against, she was not going to take the chance that coming forward might jeopardize the little girl. Her decision had been made.
If Lana did not return, if she did not contact her, Kait was going to begin her own investigation. She would find her sister, find out what was happening, and then do whatever had to be done to protect Marni, Lana, and even herself. But Marni came first.
Kait shuddered with relief. Making a solid decision for the first time in days felt right and it felt good.
“Jesus Christ! You never quit!” Trev shouted at her.
Kait realized a tear had trickled down her cheek. She wiped it away, looked up and met his hostile gaze. “I’m sorry. I said it before and I meant it.”
“That’s it?” Trev asked in disbelief.
“I’m sorry for everything,” she said firmly. Her strength seemed to be returning now. “I regret
everything I have ever done to hurt you and Marni. I’d like for us to have a truce.”
He snorted. “Have your lawyer call mine, and soon, Lana. I want this farce over with yesterday! And stay the hell away from my daughter,” he added warningly.
She stood. “That isn’t fair and you know it.”
“I don’t think life is fair, do you?”
“Marni had a good time today.”
“And what about tomorrow—when you’re gone—or when you have returned to your usual cold and uncaring self?”
“Talking to you is like talking to a wall,” Kait snapped. Because he was undoubtedly right. She had to assume her sister was alive, and when she did return, Marni would have her real mother back in her life again. But she would also have her aunt, no matter what Trev had to say about that. “And what about your selfish behavior?”
His eyes widened. “My selfish behavior?” “Yes! You told her that we are divorcing. That was uncalled for!” Her hands found her hips.
He stared. “My, my. Have we become the epitome of moral indignation? Please!”
“You had no right,” Kait flared, meaning it.
“I gently explained it to her, in terms a child can understand.”
“Really? And what terms are those?” Kait demanded, trying to get a grip on her rising temper.
“We’re going to live in different houses,” Trev said vehemently. “That sometimes people grow up just like children, and when they do, they change. And when they change, they need to move away from each other. That is what I said.”
“I’m sure she understood that,” Kait said sarcastically.
“She is upset. She’ll get over it. She’ll get over it a lot faster if you move out of the house and stay away from her.”
Kait stared at him with dread prickling along her nape. There was also a surge of panic. “You want me to move out?”
“I think it would be best. Don’t you?”
She was not moving out. The thought of leaving Fox Hollow was more than painful. God, it was a thought she could not bear! “We should reconcile, for Marni’s sake,” she said slowly. Could he force her out? “You can’t make me leave.”
